China has achieved new progress in conserving, restoring and utilizing cultural relics related to the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, a senior cultural heritage official said Sunday at a press conference in Beijing.
At a press conference on events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, Sun Deli, deputy head of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, offered updates on efforts to protect and conserve memorial facilities, war sites, and relics.
"First, the overall inventory of war-related cultural resources has been largely identified. Statistics show that there are more than 10,000 unmovable cultural relics and over 500,000 pieces or sets of movable ones themed around the war of resistance across the country," Sun said.
"Second, a framework for systematic protection of war-related cultural relics has taken shape. The construction of a total of 20 revolutionary cultural heritage protection and utilization zones themed on the war is progressing in an orderly manner. More than 3,000 projects nationwide have been implemented, focusing on the renovation, protection, exhibition, and environmental improvement of war sites, as well as the conservation and repair of war relics kept in museums," he added.
"Thirdly, a memorial hall system has also been largely established. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–2025), nearly 20 memorial halls have been newly built, renovated or expanded, and over 50 have had their exhibitions upgraded. The total number of registered memorial halls dedicated to the war of resistance has reached 257," according to Sun.
"Fourth, the educational role of war relics has been fully demonstrated. More than 500 war-themed exhibitions are held nationwide each year, attracting over 60 million visits to war sites and venues. A total of 96 war sites and venues have been designated as national patriotic education demonstration bases. In addition, the governments of the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions have set up the first patriotic education base in the Chinese mainland for young people from the two regions at the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression," Sun said.
China makes major headway in war of resistance relic protection, utilization: official
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
